We didn't violate border truce: Pakistan Army

Islamabad, Jan 14 (IANS) Pakistan Monday rejected allegations of ceasefire violations on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir levelled against it by the Indian Army during a flag meeting Monday, a media report said.

During the flag meeting held between the Pakistani and Indian army commanders at the LoC, Pakistan asked India to abide by the ceasefire agreement between the countries with regard to Kashmir, DawnNews reported.

The Pakistani army brigadier in Poonch sector also participated in the meet in which, the Pakistani commanders rejected the allegations levelled against them by their Indian counterparts.

The Indian commanders accused their Pakistani counterparts for firing across the border. The Pakistan Army, however, registered their protest against Indian violations of the ceasefire at the LoC, the Pakistani daily quoted military sources as saying.

The Pakistani Army also demanded that India comply with the ceasefire agreement.

In New Delhi, asserting that his forces "reserve the right to retaliate", Indian Army chief General Bikram Singh said the killing of two Indian soldiers - one of whom was beheaded - by Pakistan troops was a "gruesome and an unpardonable act".

He termed Pakistan's aggression along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir "pre-planned and pre-meditated".

"What they (Pakistan) have done is against the ethics of soldiering. My heart goes out to the families of soldiers who were killed and whose bodies were mutilated. It's a gruesome and unpardonable act. Beheading of soldiers is not acceptable," Bikram Singh told reporters.

He also said the Indian Army would uphold the ceasefire as long as it was maintained.

"We will uphold the ceasefire as long as it is maintained. We reserve the right to retaliate at the time and place of our choosing. Our response to Pakistani firing at its posts in Line of Control is measured and perfect."

Appreciating the Indian soldiers, Bikram Singh said: "Commanders on LoC are doing a great job. I expect my commanders on the LoC to be aggressive. They must understand that the army hierarchy is behind them."

He said if things flare up, other options come in.

--

Get stories like this on the Yahoo app and discover more every day.Download it now.